Longtime Leavenworth County physician Dr. Phil Stevens also is known as Tonganoxie Phil. Stevens explains how he got the name, which he’s known for each February with Groundhog Day.

Q: How did you take on the persona of Tonganoxie Phil?

A: Out of the blue, I received a phone call from Randy Miller, who was a Kansas City disc jockey. He wanted to compete with Punxsutawney Phil, and he needed somebody by the name of Phil from Tonganoxie, so I was drafted. Punxsutawney Phil is the Pennsylvania groundhog who comes out of hibernation every Feb. 2 and predicts whether there will be spring or six more weeks of winter.

Q: How many years have you been Tonganoxie Phil?

A: About 20 years, but it seems a lot longer. It’s a tough job.

Q: Do folks still ask you for prognostications?

A: All the time, and the questions have branched out into politics, world affairs, the economy, inflation and longevity.

Q: Have you been pretty accurate predicting the weather?

A: Just about as accurate as Punxsutawney Phil. In fact, we are running neck and neck.

Q: Are we in store for six more weeks of winter?

A: We’re certainly overdue. Time will tell. Let’s hope it includes lots of precipitation.